Beauty created by nature!

My intention for 2023 is to be more present with my time. Last year, the present moment was elusive and often hidden underneath piles of washing, to-do lists, half-finished sentences and half-booked holidays. But now, staring at a sparkly new year, my goal is to slow down and absorb as many moments as I can. How, with a very active toddler and the juggle of full-time work, am I going to do this? With a new skin and body care routine.

The Herb Farm’s range of natural skin and body care anchors me daily in the present moment. First, I use the Softening Rose Cream Cleanser. My skin is typically dry; I can’t use heavy cleansers as they strip my skin of its natural oils. This cleanser, however, is like mother’s milk for my skin. My pores lap up the organic shea butter, evening primrose oil and sweet almond oil. It’s soft and creamy, and gives my skin the hydration that it so desperately needs. I simply massage two pumps onto my skin morning and night, then rinse off with warm water.

You may have heard about Bakuchiol oil? If not, Bakuchiol is a natural retinol alternative and a miracle for my skin. The Herb Farm has blended Bakuchiol with hemp, almond oil and rosehip oil to create a potent face oil that anchors me deep into the present. Not only does it support collagen production, but it also improves skin elasticity — two things my skin has been missing since becoming a new mum and passing all my finite collagen to my son through my breastmilk. Collagen is wasted on the young; I am sure of it! Luckily, The Herb Farm’s Transforming Bakuchiol Face Oil is restoring the collagen I’ve lost and leaving it feeling luminous.

I use The Herb Farm’s Nourishing Rose Face Cream to soften and protect my skin and provide hydration throughout the day. Cleverly formulated to work with the natural oils of the skin, the cream adds an extra layer of protection against the elements. I live by the beach in Byron Bay and spend a lot of time in the sun; I wear this cream as much as I wear sunscreen.

I’ve levelled up my shower routine by including The Herb Farm’s Mother To Be Body Oil. Previously, my shower was a quick two-minute “pits and bits”-type situation. Mum life. I didn’t really have the time nor see the point of standing in the shower for hours until I started using body oil. Now, it gives my shower time purpose. I rub a few generous drops all over my body. As I do, I thank my body for growing and sustaining my sweet boy and send an extra dose of love to the areas that have changed since becoming a mum. The oil can help prevent stretch marks, increase the skin’s elasticity and is safe for mum and bub. With 100 per cent natural ingredients like sweet almond oil, avocado, lavender and tangerine, this oil is grounding and nourishing. It also drops me into the present moment and I now embrace a good, long, solo shower for that “me” time.

After, I like to use the Almond & May Chang Body Lotion. The smell takes over my senses and I’m reminded of the almond tree in the orchard of my childhood house. As I breathe it in and smooth it over my body, I slow down and enjoy the memory.

Like many, I forget about regularly moisturising my hands and décolletage area. The Herb Farm make this easy with their soft and soothing Refining Hand & Decolletage Cream. This nutrient-rich cream has been formulated with mamaku, liquorice and seaweed extracts to firm and even skin tone and pigmentation. I keep the cream in my car and use it each time I buy my morning chai.

The Herb Farm’s Hydrating Overnight Face Mask is a favourite addition to my nightly routine. There’s something very healing about wearing a mask to bed — it feels like a three-hour spa treatment for my skin. While its antioxidants deeply hydrate my skin overnight, I simply sleep, then I wake up with radiant skin. The mask contains Boraline® Expert, which has been scientifically proven to fight against the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles — I certainly have a few new ones of those that I’d like to soften.

And lastly, The Herb Farm’s Soothe & Repair Cream is my latest mum hack. It lives in my nappy bag and I use it on my son whenever he has dry or itchy skin. Made with blackcurrant, linseed, flaxseed, lavender and olive oil, the Soothe & Repair Cream relieves and heals his irritated skin. I also love to rub it on my elbows, knees and heels.

The Herb Farm’s all-natural, farm-to-face skin and body care products not only soothe and nourish my dry skin, but also anchor me into the present moment — now that is kicking off the year with good intentions.